The Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977

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The Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977

(originally published vide GSR 622(E) dated 26 September,1977 in Gazette of India Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i) )

[ incorporating amendment made on 17-7-06 ]

THE STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES, 1977

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 83 of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 (60 of 1976), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-

1. Short Title, Extent, Application and Commencement:-

These rules may be called the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977.

2) They shall extend to the whole of India

(3) They shall apply to commodities in the packaged form which are, or are intended or likely to be, –

(i) sold, distributed or delivered or offered or displayed for sale, distribution or delivery, or;

(ii) stored for sale, or for distribution or delivery, in the course of inter-State trade and commerce.

** Substituted vide GSR 631 Dated: 21.7.2000

(4) They shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint and different dates may be appointed for-

(i) different provisions of these rules, and

(ii) different commodities or classes of commodities, and any reference in any provision to the commencement of these rules shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision or to the coming into force of these rules in relation to any commodity or classes of commodities, as the case may be ;

Provided that they shall come into force in the State of Sikkim on the date on which Chapter IV of part IV of the Act comes into force in that State.

2. Definitions:-

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires-

(a)’Act’ means the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 (60 of 1976);

(b) Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

(d)’dealer’, in relation to any commodity in packaged form, means a person who, or a firm or a Hindu undivided family which, carries on directly or otherwise, the business of buying, selling, supplying or distributing any such commodity whether for cash or for deferred payment or for commission, remuneration or other valuable consideration, and includes a commission agent who carries on such business on behalf of any principal, but does not include a manufacturer who manufactures any commodity which is sold or distributed in a packaged form except where such commodity is sold by such manufacturer to any other person other than a dealer ;

(e)Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

(f)’fancy package’- Omitted vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99

(g)Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

*(gg) ‘lot’ means –

(i) in the case of packages which have been stored, the total number of such packages stored; and

(ii) in the case of packages which are on or at the end of the packing line, the maximum hourly output of packages;’

*[ (gg) added vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

(h)’manufacturer’ in relation to any commodity in packaged form, means a person who, or a firm or a Hindu undivided family which, produces, makes or manufactures such commodity and includes a person, firm or Hindu undivided family who or which puts, or causes to be put, any mark on any packaged commodity, not produced, made or manufactured by him or it, and the mark claims the commodity in the package to be commodity produced, made or manufactured by such person, firm or Hindu undivided family, as the case may be;

(i) ‘Maximum permissible error’, in relation to the quantity [including the quantity declared to be given free by the manufacturer/packer] contained in an individual package, means an error in deficiency [ Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06]which, subject to the provision of these rules, does not exceed

*(i) in relation to the commodities specified in the First Schedule, the limits or error specified in that Schedule;

(ii) in relation to the commodities not specified in the First Schedule, the limits of error specified in the Second Schedule;

* [W.e.f.1.5.2008 ,sub clause (i) and (ii) of clause (i) will be deleted and will be replaced by the following sub clause (i) the limits of error specified in the second schedule.

*(j) ‘net quantity’, in relation to commodity contained in a package, means the quantity by weight, measure or number of such commodity contained in that package, excluding the packaging or wrapper;’;

*amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(k)’packer’ means a person who, or a firm or a Hindu undivided family, which pre-packs any commodity, whether in any bottle, tin, wrapper or otherwise, in units suitable for sale whether wholesale or retail;

*(l) ‘Pre-packed commodity’, means a commodity, which without the purchaser being present, is placed in a package of whatever nature, whether sealed or opened, so that the commodity contained therein has a pre-determined value and includes those commodities which could be taken out of the package for testing or examining or inspecting the commodity;

* [clause(l) Amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06]

**(m)’principal display panel’, in relation to a package, means the total surface area of the package where the information required under these Rules are to be given. This information could be given in the following manner:-

(i) all the information could be groped together and given at one place; or

(ii) the pre-printed information could be grouped together and given in one place and on line information grouped together in other place.

** substituted vide GSR NO 246 E dated 5.4.99.

(n)’quantity’ in relation to commodity contained in a package, means the quantity by weight, measure or number of such commodity contained in that package;

(o)’retail dealer’ in relation to any commodity in packaged form means a dealer who directly sells such packages to the consumer and includes, in relation to such packages as are sold directly to the consumer, a wholesale dealer who makes such direct sale;

* (p) ‘retail package’ means the packages which are intended for retail sale to the ultimate consumer for the purpose of consumption of the commodity contained therein and includes the imported packages :

Provided that for the purposes of this clause, the expression ‘ultimate consumer’ shall not include industrial or institutional consumers.

*[ amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06]

(q)’retail sale’, in relation to a commodity, means the sale, distribution or delivery of such commodity through retail sales agencies or other instrumentalities for consumption by an individual or a group of individuals or any other consumer.

(r)’retail sale price’ means the maximum price at which the commodity in packaged form may be sold to the ultimate consumer and where such price is mentioned on the package, there shall be printed on the packages the words [‘Maximum or Max. retail price……inclusive of all taxes or in the form MRP Rs………incl., of all taxes.’]*

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* Substituted by GSR 511(E) dated 25.5.1990

Modified by GSR 50(E) dated 17.1.1992

Modified by GSR 314(E) dated 12.3.94

Explanation: For the purposes of the clause ‘maximum price’ in relation to any commodity in packaged form shall include all taxes local or otherwise, freight, transport charges, commission payable to dealers, and all charges towards advertisement, delivery, packing forwarding and the like, as the case may be;

[(s) Omitted]**

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** Omitted by GSR 50(E) dated 17.1.1992

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(t)’Section’ means a section of the Act;

(u)’standard package’ means a package containing the specified quantity of a commodity;

*(v) Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

(w)’wholesale dealer’ in relation to any commodity in packaged form means a dealer who does not directly sell such commodity to any consumer but distributes or sells such commodity through one or more intermediaries;

Explanation: Nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing a wholesale dealer from functioning as a retail dealer in relation to any commodity, but where he functions in relation to any commodity as a retail dealer, he shall comply with all the provisions of these rules which a retail dealer is required by these rules to comply.

(x)’wholesale package’ means a package containing __

(i) a number of retail packages, where such first mentioned package is intended for sale, distribution or delivery to an intermediary and is not intended for sale direct to a single consumer;* or

(ii) a commodity sold to an intermediary in bulk to enable such intermediary to sell, distribute or deliver such commodity to the consumer in smaller quantities; * or

***’ (iii) packages containing ten or more than ten retail packages provided that the retail packages are labeled as required under the rules’.

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* introduced vide Amendment No GSR 113 dated 12.2.04

** Introduced vide GSR 594 E dated 17.8.99

*** Substituted vide GSR 631 dated 21.7.2000

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(y) Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

CHAPTER -II

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PACKAGES INTENDED FOR RETAIL SALE

* 2A. Applicability of the Chapter-

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to,-

(a) packages of commodities containing quantity of more than 25 kg or 25 litre excluding cement and fertilizer sold in bags up to 50 kg; and

(b) packaged commodities meant for industrial consumers or institutional consumers.

Explanation :- For the purpose of this rule,-

‘a) Institutional consumer.– Means those consumers who buy packaged commodities directly from the manufacturers/packers for service industry like transportation [including airways, railways],hotel or any other similar service industry.

b) Industrial Consumer – Means those consumers who buy packaged commodities directly from the manufacturers/packers for using the product in their industry for production, etc.’.

*[amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06 ]

3. Chapter to apply to packages intended for retail sale

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to packages intended for retail sale and the expression ‘package’, wherever it occurs in this Chapter shall be construed accordingly.

4. Regulation for pre-packing and sale etc. of commodities in packaged form

On and from the commencement of these rules, no person shall pre-pack or cause or permit to be pre-packed any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery unless the package in which the commodity is pre-packed thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, such declarations as are required to be made under these rules.

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** An Explanation which was added vide Notification, GSR 50(E) dated 17.1.1992 was deleted vide GSR 578 (E) dated 26 August, 1993.

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*5. Specific commodities to be packed and sold in recommended standard packages: The commodities specified in the Third Schedule shall be packed for sale, distribution or delivery in such standard quantities as are specified in that Schedule:

Provided that if a commodity specified in the Third Schedule is packed in a size other than that prescribed in that Schedule, a declaration that ‘Not a standard pack size under the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977’ or ‘non standard size under the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977′ shall be made prominently on the label of such package.’.

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

6. Declarations to be made on every package

* (a) the name and address of the manufacturer, or where the manufacturer is not the packer, the name and address of the manufacturer and packer and for any imported package the name and address of the importer.

Explanation I – If any name and address of a company is declared on the label without any qualifying words ‘manufactured by’ or ‘packed by’, it shall be presumed that such name and address shall be that of the manufacturer and the liability shall be determined accordingly;

Explanation II – If the brand name and address of the brand owner appear on the label as a marketer , then the brand owner shall be held responsible for any violation of these rules and action as may be required shall be initiated against the deemed manufacturer and in the event of more than one name and address appearing in the label, prosecution shall be launched against the manufacturer indicated on the label in the first place and not against all of them.

Explanation III – In respect of packages containing food articles, the provisions of this clause shall not apply and instead the requirement of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954) and the rules made there under shall apply

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

(b) the common or generic names of the commodity contained in the package *and in case of packages with more than one product, the name and number or quantity of each product shall be specified on the package. *[ amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06]

Explanation: Generic name in relation to a commodity means the name of the genus of the commodity, for example, in the case of common salt, sodium chloride is the generic name.

(c) the net quantity, in terms of the standard unit of weight or measure, of the commodity contained in the package or where the commodity is packed or sold by number, the number of the commodity contained in the package;

(d) the month and year in which the commodity is manufactured or pre-packed * or imported;

*[ amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06]

‘ Provided that for packages containing food articles, the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 (37 of 1954) and the rules made there under shall apply.’;

[Inserted vide GSR 666(E) dt 25.9.02]

** Provided further that nothing in this clause shall apply in case of packages containing seeds which are labelled and certified under the provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966 (54 of 1966) and the rules made there under;

* Provided that a manufacturer may indicate the month and year using a rubber stamp without overwriting.

* amended vide GSR 452(E) dt 17.7.2006

** inserted vide GSR 760 E dated 24.9.03

(e) & Omitted –

& vide GSR No 521 dated 27.6.95

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(f) *the retail sale price of the package;

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* amended vide GSR No 511(E) dated 25th May, 1990.

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(g) where the sizes of the commodity contained in the package are relevant, the dimensions of the commodity contained in the package and if the dimensions of the different pieces are different ,the dimensions of each such different piece;

(h) such other matter as are specified in these rules:

Provided that —

(A) no declaration as to the month and year in which the commodity is manufactured or pre-packed shall be required to be made on–

&In proviso (A), clauses (i) to (v) shall be omitted

[Inserted vide GSR 666(E) dt 25.9.02]

**(vi) any package containing bidis or incense sticks.

** Inserted vide GSR 224(E) dated 23.3.2002

* (vii) any domestic liquefied petroleum gas cylinder of 14.2kg or 5kg, bottled and marketed by a public sector undertaking.’.

Inserted vide GSR 238 (E) dated 31.3.04.

(B) where any packaging material bearing thereon the month in which any commodity was expected to have been pre-packed is not exhausted during that month, such packaging material may be used for pre-packing the concerned commodity produced or manufactured during the next succeeding month and not there after, but the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that such packaging material could not be exhausted during the period aforesaid by reason of any circumstance beyond the control of the manufacturer or packer as the case may be extend the time during which such packaging material may be used, and , where any such packaging material is exhausted before the expiry of the month indicated thereon, the packaging material intended to be used during the next succeeding month may be used for pre-packing the concerned commodity;

*’Provided that the said provision shall not apply to the packages containing food products, where the ‘Best before or Use before’ period is ninety days or less from the date of manufacture or packing.’

*[Inserted vide GSR 666(E) dt 25.9.02]

**GSR 784 (E) dt 7.12.95 effective from 7.3.96 (butter, any other like commodity omitted)

*& in proviso (C), clauses (i), (ii),(iv), (v) and (vi) omitted.

*& I[inserted vide GSR 666(E) dt 25.9.02]

(iii) Omitted vide GSR 760 E dated 24.9.03;

# The commodities mentioned at (i) to (vi) where retail sale price has not been mentioned by the manufacturer or packer on the package, the retail dealer shall display prominently at a conspicuous place of the premises in which the he carries on his retail sale, the retail sale price of the package for the information of consumer.

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# amendment vide GSR NO 314 (E) dated 12 March, 94.

**(vii) any package containing bidi’.

** introduced vide GSR 450 (E) dated 14.7.04

*(viii) any domestic liquefied petroleum gas cylinder of which the price is covered under the Administrative Price Mechanism of the Government.

*[ amended vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

Explanation I: The month and the year in which commodity is pre-packed may be expressed either in words, or by numerals indicating the month and the year, or by both.

Explanation II: Liquid milk does not include condensed milk.

Explanation III: Deleted vide GSR 425(E)dt 17.7.06

*(1 A) Every package shall bear the name, address, telephone number, E mail address, if available, of the person who can be or the office which can be, contacted, in case of consumer complaints.

(1B) It shall not be permissible to affix individual stickers [labels] on the package for altering or making declaration required under these rules:

Provided that for reducing the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), a sticker with the revised lower MRP (inclusive of all taxes) may be affixed and the same should not cover the MRP declaration made by the manufacturer or the packer as the case may be, on the label of the package.

(1C ) It shall be permissible to use stickers for making any declarations other than the declaration required to be made under these rules.

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

(2) Where a commodity consists of a number of components and these components are packed in two or more units, for sale as a single commodity, the declaration required to be made under sub-rule (1) shall appear on the main package and such package shall also carry information about the other accompanying packages * or such declaration may be given on individual packages and intimation to that effect may be given on the main package and if the components are sold as spare parts, all declarations shall be given on each package.’ .]

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

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@Sub-rule(2) was omitted vide GSR 511(E) dated 25.5.1990. A

new sub-rule(2) was inserted by GSR 50(E) dated 17.1.92

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[(3) Omitted.]*
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* Omitted by GSR 458 (E) dated 25.5.1985

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7. Principal display panel-its area, size and letter etc.

(1) Omitted vide GSR No 246E dated 5.4.99

(2 ) Omitted vide GSR No 26 (E) dated 5.4.99

(3) In the case of a package having a capacity of five cubic centimeters or less, the principal display panel may be card or tape affixed firmly to the package or container and bearing the required information.

[(4) The height of any numeral in the declaration required under these rules, on the principal display panel shall not be less than:

(i) as shown in Table-I if the net quantity is declared in terms of weight or volume.

(ii) as shown in Table-II if the net quantity is declared in terms of length, area or number.

The height of letters in the declaration shall not be less than 1 mm height. When blown, formed, molded, embossed or perforated the height of letters shall not be less than 2 mm.

Provided that the width of the letter or numeral shall not be less than one third of its height, but this proviso shall not apply in the case of numeral `1′ and letters (i), (I) and (l);

TABLE-I ***

Minimum height of numeral

——————————————————

Sl. Net quantity in Minimum height in mm

No. weight/volume —————————

normal When blown, formed

case molded, embossed

or perforated on

container.

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1. Upto 200 g/ml 1 2

2. Above 200 g/ml up to

500 g/ml 2 4

3. Above 500 g/ml 4 6

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*** substituted vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

TABLE-II ****

Minimum height of numeral

——————————————————

Sl. Net quantity in Minimum height in mm

No. length, area or —————————

number, area of normal When blown, formed

principal display case molded, embossed

panel. or perforated on

container.

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1. Upto 100 cm square 1 2

2. Above 100 cm square up to

500 cm square 2 4

3. Above 500 cm square upto

2500 cm square 4 6

4. Above 2500 cm square 6 6

** The sub-rule(4) was substituted vide GSR 314(E) dated 12.3.1994

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**** substituted vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

(5) The foregoing provisions of these rules shall not apply to a package if the information to be specified on such package under this rule is also required to be given by or under any other law for the time being in force.]***

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*** Inserted by GSR 59(E) dated 23.2.80 and corrected by GSR 836(E) dated 17.7.1980.

8. Declaration where to appear

**(1) Every declaration required to be made under these rules appear on the principal display panel.

Provided that the provided that area surrounding the quantity declaration shall be free of printed information,

(a) above and below by a space equal to at least the height of the numeral in the declaration, and

(b) to the left and right by a space at least twice the height of numeral in the declaration.

amended vide GSR NO 521 dated 27.6.95

$ amendment vide GSR 105(E) dated 2nd March, 95

** amended vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

(2),(3),(4) AND (5) omitted vide GSR NO 246 E dated 5.4.99.

$$ (6) For soft drink, ready to serve fruit beverages or the like, the bottle which is returnable by the consumer for being refilled, the retail sale price may be indicated either on the crown cap, or on the bottle or on both. If the retail sale price is indicated on the crown cap [or the bottle], it is sufficient to indicate the retail sale price in the form ‘MRP Rs….’.

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$$-Introduced vide GSR No 547 E dated 13th July, 95

[] introduced vide GSR 600 E dated 20.10.98.

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9. Manner in which declaration shall be made

(1) Every declaration which is required to be made on a package under these rules shall be —

*legible and prominent.

deleted vide GSR 425(E) dt 17.7.06.

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dated 17.7.2006]

*(d) numerals of the retail sale price and net quantity declaration {omitted} and shall be printed, painted or inscribed on the package in a colour that contrasts conspicuously with the background of the label;

( c ) Omitted vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

* amended vide GSR No 314(E) dated 12 March, 94

Provided that,–

*(a) where any label information is blown, formed or molded on a glass or plastic surface such information such information need not be required to be presented in a contrasting colour;

* [amended vide GSR 425(E) dt 17.7.06]

(b) where any declaration on a package is printed either in the form of hand-writing or hand-script, such declaration shall be clear, unambiguous and legible,

(2) No declaration shall be made so as to require it to be read through any liquid commodity contained in the package.

(3) Where a package is provided with an outside container or wrapper such container or wrapper shall also contain all the declarations which are required to appear on the package except where such container or wrapper itself is transparent and the declarations on the package itself are easily readable through such outside wrapper.

*Provided that no such declarations on the inner package as required under the said rules is required if the inner package does not contain any declaration on its outer cover’;

*[added vide GSR 425(E)]

**(4) The particulars of declaration required to be specified under this rule on a package shall either be in Hindi in Devnagri script or in English:

‘Provided that nothing contained in this sub-rule shall prevent the use of any other language in addition to Hindi or English language.’.

** Introduced vide GSR 760 E dated 24.9.03

(5) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

*10. Declaration of name and address of the manufacturer, etc.

(1) Subject to the provisions of rule 7, every package kept, offered or exposed for sale or sold shall bear conspicuously on it, the name and complete address of the manufacturer, or where the manufacturer is not the packer, the name and address of the manufacturer and the packer and in case of imported packages, the name and address of the importer:

Provided that for packages of capacity 5 cubic cm or less, it shall be a sufficient compliance of this sub-rule, if a mark or inscription which would enable the consumer to identify the manufacturer or packer or the importer, as the case may be, is made on the package:

Provided further that where any commodity manufactured outside India is packed in India, the package shall also contain on the principal display panel the name and complete address of the packer or the importer in India.

Explanation:- In this sub-rule, ‘ complete address’ means, the postal address at which the registered office of the manufacturer is situated or the factory is situated, and, in any other case, the name of the street, number (if any) assigned to the premises of the manufacturer or packer, and either the name of the city and State where the business is carried on by the manufacturer or packer or the Postal Index Number [PIN] Code so that a consumer can identify and locate the manufacturer or packer, as the case may be.

(2) The name of the manufacturer or packer or importer shall be the actual corporate name, or if not incorporated, the name under which the business is conducted by such manufacturer or packer or importer in India.’.

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

11. General provisions relating to declaration of quantity.—

(1) In declaring the net quantity of the commodity contained in a package, the weight of wrappers and materials other than the commodity shall be excluded:

* Proviso Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(2)Where a commodity in a package is not likely to undergo any variation in weight or measure, on account of the environmental conditions, the quantity declared on the package shall be correspond to the net quantity which will be received by the consumer, and the declaration of quantity of the commodity as declared on the package, and the declaration of quantity on such package shall not be qualified by the words ‘when packed’ or the like.

(3) Save as otherwise provided in sub-rule (4), where a commodity in package is likely to undergo variations in weight or measure on account of environmental conditions and such variation is negligible, the declaration of quantity in relation to such package shall be made after taking into account such variation so that the consumer may receive not less than the net quantity of
the commodity as declared on the package, and the declaration of quantity on such package shall not also be qualified by the words ‘when packed’ or the like.

(4)Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

12. Manner in which declaration of quantity shall be.–(1) The declaration of quantity shall be expressed in terms of such unit of weight, measure or number or a combination of weight, measure or number as would give an accurate and adequate information to the consumer with regard to the quantity of the commodity contained in the package.

(2) Except in the cases of commodities specified in the Fifth Schedule, the declaration of quantity shall be in terms of the unit of –

(a) mass, if the commodity is solid, semi-solid, viscous or a mixture of solid and liquid;

(b) length, if the commodity is sold by linear measure;

(d) volume, if the commodity is liquid or is sold by cubic measure; or

(e) number, if the commodity is sold by number:

Provided that in the case of solid commodity contained in a free flowing liquid which is sold as such the declaration of quantity shall be in terms of the drained weight of such solid commodity.

(3) Where the declaration of quantity has been made in terms of mass, the manufacturer or, as the case may be, the packer may, at his option make an additional declaration on the package as to the number of commodities contained in the package.

Illustration: A package containing screws may not only indicate the total weight of the screws contained in the package but also the number and sizes of the screws contained in the package.]*

* Illustration was substituted by GSR 59(E) dated 23.2.80

(4) Where the declaration of quantity by weight, measure or number alone is not sufficient to give to the consumer full information with regard to the dimensions or number of commodity contained in the package, such declaration shall be accompanied by a declaration of the dimensions or number, or both, where necessary, of the commodity contained in the package;

Illustration:Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(5)Where it is necessary to communicate to the consumer any additional information about the commodity contained in a package, such information shall also appear on the same panel in which the other information, as required by these rules, have been indicated.

Illustration: Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(a), (b) and (c) vide GSR 105(E) dt 2.3.95

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(d) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(e) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(f) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(g) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(6) The declaration of quantity shall not contain any word or expression which tends to create an exaggerated, misleading or inadequate impression as to the quantity of the commodity contained in the package, for example, words or expressions like-

(i) ‘minimum’, ‘not less than’, ‘average’, ‘about’, approximately’ or other words of a similar nature, or

(ii) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

**(7) For packages having capacity 5 cubic cm or less, the declaration of quantity shall be made on a tag, card, tape, or any other similar device affixed to the container and every such tag, card, tape or other device shall contain mark or inscription which would enable the consumer to identity the manufacturer or packer, as the case may be.

** amended vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

*13. Statement of units of weight, measure or number.-

(1) The units of weight, measure or number shall be specified in accordance with the units specified in sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3), as the case may be.

(2) When expressing a quantity less than-

(a) one kilogram, the unit of weight shall be the gram;

(b) one metre, the unit of length shall be the centimetre;

(d) one cubic metre, the unit of volume shall be one cubic centimetre;

(e) one cubic decimetre, the unit of volume shall be the cubic centimetre;

(f) one litre, the unit of volume shall be the millilitre.

(3) When expressing a quantity of equal to or more than-

(a) one kilogram, the unit of weight shall be the kilogram and any fraction of a kilogram shall be expressed in terms of decimal sub-multiples of kilogram or in terms of grams;

(b) one metre, the unit of length shall be the metre and any fraction of a metre shall be expressed in terms of decimal sub-multiples of the metre or in terms of centimetre;

(c) square metre, the unit of the area shall be the square metre and any fraction of a square metre shall be expressed in terms of decimal sub-multiple of the square metre.

(d) cubic metre, the unit of volume shall be the cubic metre and any fraction of a cubic metre shall be expressed in terms of decimal sub-multiple of the cubic metre;

(e) one litre, the unit of volume shall be the litre and any fraction of a litre shall be expressed in terms of decimal sub-multiple of the litre:

Provided that where the quantity to be expressed is equal to one kilogram, one metre, one square metre, one cubic decimetre, one cubic metre or one litre, as the case may be, such quantity may be expressed at the option of the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be, in terms of gram, centimetre, square decimetre, cubic centimetre, cubic decimetre or millilitre as the case may be.

(4) No number called the dozen, score, gross, great gross or the like shall be specified or indicated on any package.

(5) Symbol for Units:-

(i) No system of units other than the International System of Units shall be used in furnishing the net quantity of the package.

(ii) For items sold by number the symbol should be N or U’.

[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

14. Omitted vide GSR No 521 dated 27.6.95

15. Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

16. Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

17. Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

18. Declarations with regard to dimensions of certain commodities

Where a package contains commodities like bed-sheets, hemmed fabric materials, dhoties, sarees, napkins, pillow-covers, towels, table cloths or similar other commodities, the number and the dimensions of finished size of such commodities shall also be declared on the package or on the label affixed thereto:

Provided that where the package contains more than one piece of different dimensions the package shall also contain a declaration as to the dimensions and the retail sale price of each such piece:

Provided further that the dimensions of the commodities and the sale price thereof shall also be marked on each individual piece.

19.Declaration with regard to dimensions and weight to be made on packages in certain cases

Where the dimensions and weight, or combination thereof, of a commodity has or have a relationship to the price of that commodity, the declaration of quantity on the package containing such commodity, shall also include a declaration as to such dimensions, weight or combination.

20. Declarations to be made with regard to the number of usable sheets to be stated

In the case of a package containing sheets like aluminum foil, facial tissues, waxed paper, toilet paper or any other type of sheet, the declaration of quantity on the package shall also include a statement as to the number of usable sheets contained in the package and the dimensions of each such sheet.

21. Declarations with regard to the dimensions of container type commodities- How to be expressed Commodities, such as bags, boxes, cups, pans or the like designed and sold in retail trade for being used as containers for other materials or objects, shall be labeled with the declaration of quantity as follows-

(i) for bag-type commodities-In terms of the number of bags which the package may contain, followed by linear dimensions of the bags, whether packaged in a perforated roll or otherwise.

Illustrations:Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(ii) For square, oblong, rectangular or similarly shaped containers- In terms of the number of containers which the package may contain, followed by length, width, and if required, depth of the container.

Illustrations:Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(iii) for circular or generally round-shaped containers, not being cups or the like,- In terms of the number of commodities contained therein followed by diameter and,if necessary, depth of the container.

Illustration: Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(iv) When the use of a container is related by label references, in terms of standard weight or measure, to the capability of the container to hold a specific quantity of commodity or a class of commodities such references shall be included in the declaration of quantity.

Explanation-I: Containers which are intended to be used for liquids, semi-solids viscous materials or mixtures of solids, and liquids shall fall within the ambit of this rule.

Illustrations: Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

Explanation-II :Containers intended to be used for solids shall fall within the ambit of this rule.

Illustrations:Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

Explanation-III: Where containers are used as liners for other more permanent containers, the declaration shall be in the same terms as are normally used to express the capacity of the permanent containers.

Illustration: Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

[22.Omitted.]*

—————————————————————-

*Omitted by Noti. GSR 393(E) dated 23.5.84

—————————————————————-

23. Provisions relating to wholesale dealer and retail dealers

(1) No wholesale dealer or retail dealer shall sell, distribute, deliver, display or store for sale any commodity in the packaged form unless the package complies with, in all respects, the provisions of the Act and these rules.

(2) No retail dealer or other person including manufacturer, packer and wholesale dealer shall make any sale of any commodity in packed form at a price exceeding the retail sale price thereof.

[Explanation: for the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that a sale, distribution or delivery by a wholesale dealer to a retail dealer or other person is a ‘retail sale’ within the meaning of this sub-rule.’]**

—————————————————————-

** Inserted by GSR 303 (E) dated 31.3.83

—————————————————————-

(3) Omitted vide GSR No 105(E) dated 2.3.95.

**[(4) Where, after any commodity has been pre-packed for sale, any tax payable in relation to such commodity is revised, the retail dealer or any other person shall not make any retail sale of such commodity at a price exceeding the revised retail sale price, communicated to him by the manufacturer, or where the manufacturer is not the packer, the packer, and it shall be, the duty of the manufacturer or packer as the case may be, to indicate by not less than two advertisements in one or more newspapers and also by circulation of notices to the dealers and to the Director in the Central Government and Controllers of Legal Metrology in the States and Union Territories, the revised prices of such packages but the difference between the price marked on the package and the revised price shall not, in any case, be higher than the extent of increase in the tax or in the case of imposition of fresh tax higher than the fresh tax so imposed:

Provided that publication in any newspaper, of such revised price shall not be necessary where such revision is due to any increase in, or imposition or, any tax payable under any law made by the State Legislation:

Provided further that the retail dealer or other person, shall not charge such revised prices in relation to any packages except those packages which bear marking indicating that they were pre-packed in the month in which such tax has been revised or fresh tax has been imposed or in the month immediately following the month aforesaid;

Provided also that where the revised prices are lower than the price marked on the package, the retail dealer or other person shall not charge any price in excess of the revised price, irrespective of the month in which the commodity was pre-packed.]**

—————————————————————-

** Amended by GSR 50(E) dated 17.1.92

Further amended vide GSR 578(E) dated 26 August, 1993

—————————————————————-

(5)Nothing in sub-rule (4) shall apply to a package which is not required, under these rules to indicate the month and the year in which it was pre-packed.

(6)No retail dealer or other person shall obliterate, smudge or alter the retail sale price, indicated by the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be, on the package or on the label affixed thereto.

(7)*** The manufacturer or packer shall not alter the price on the wrapper once printed and used for packing.

—————————————————————-

*** Sub-rule added vide GSR 578(E) dated 26 August, 1993

—————————————————————-

*23 (A). Weighing facility.- (1) All retailers who are covered under the Value Added Tax [VAT] or Turn Over Tax (TOT) and dealing in packaged commodities whose net content declaration is by weight or volume or a combination thereof shall maintain a electronic weighing machine of at least accuracy class III, with smallest division of atleast 1 g, with facility to issue a printed receipt indicating among other things, the gross quantity, price and the like at a prominent place in their retail premises, free of cost, for the benefit of consumers.

(2) The consumers may check the weight of their packaged commodities purchased from the shop on such balances as referred to in sub-rule (1).

*[added vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

24. Procedure for examination of and determination of quantity and error in packages at the premises of the manufacturer or packer

(1) with a view to ascertaining whether any package or *lot of packages complies with provisions of these rules in all respects, the Director or any other person authorized under section 29 hereafter referred to as in these rules the authorized person may examine the packages and carry out the tests at the premises of the manufacturer or where the manufacturer is not the packer, of the packer and when he carries out such examination or tests, he shall draw samples from such *lot of packages, in such manner and in such number as are specified in the Ninth Schedule and the tests aforesaid shall be carried out in accordance with the method specified in the Tenth Schedule.

(2) The Director or the authorized person shall enter in the Form set out in the Eleventh Schedule, the detailed results of the tests carried out by him under sub-rule (1) and shall obtain, on the said Form, the signature of the manufacturer or, as the case may be, of the packer, or his authorized agent, or, in the absence of both, or on their refusal to affix such signature, the signature of a competent witness. A copy of the data sheet containing the result shall be given to the manufacturer or packer, as the case may be.

(3) On the completion of the examination and tests carried out under sub-rule (1), the Director or the authorized person shall make a report indicating therein his findings with regard to the declarations required to be made under these rules and as to the net quantity actually contained in the sample packages and the extent of error, if any, noticed by him and furnish a copy of such report to the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be.

(4) If it appears from the report referred to in sub-rule (3) that-

(a) the statistical average of the net quantity contained in the packages drawn as samples is lesser than the quantity declared on the packages or on the labels affixed thereto; or

(b) Omitted *

* vide GSR N0 113 dated 12.2.04

(c) any such package shows an error in deficiency greater than [*twice –omitted] the maximum permissible error the Director or the authorized person shall, if for good and sufficient reason, requested by the manufacturer or packer or his authorized agent, so to do, take out as soon as may be practicable, fresh samples and carry out fresh tests in accordance with the provisions of these rules and where fresh tests are made, the Director or the authorized person, as the case may be, shall collect by way of reimbursement, from the manufacturer or packer, such sum, not exceeding rupees five thousand** as is, in his opinion, commensurate with the services so rendered:

** amended vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

* vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

Provided that where fresh tests are carried out, no package contained in the lot, which was previously tested under this rule, shall be sold or distributed by the manufacturer or packer, as the case may be, unless the provisions of the sub-rule (5) or as the case may be, sub-rule (6), are complied with.

(5)(a) where, as a result of any test carried out under this rule, it is found that any package contained in the * lot does not conform to all or any of the provisions of the Act or of these rules, the manufacturer or the packer shall make a cent per cent check of the packages contained in the *lot and pick out from the *lot the packages which conform to all the provisions of the Act and of these rules.

(b) When the Director or the authorised person is satisfied that the packages picked out by the manufacturer or packer conform to all the provisions of the Act and of these rules, he shall authorise the sale, distribution or delivery of such packages.

(c) Where, as a result of such cent per cent check by the manufacturer or packer, any package is found to be not conforming to all or any or of the provisions of the Act or of these rules, such package shall not be sold, distributed or delivered until it has been re-packed, re-processed or relabeled, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and of these rules.

(6) A *lot of packages shall be approved for sale if, and only if, as a result of the tests carried out under this rule, it is found that- (a) the statistical average of the net quantity contained in the sample packages is equal to, or more than, the quantity declared on the package or on the label affixed thereto.

*[ amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

(b) *Omitted .

* vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

(c) the extent of error in deficiency in none of such sample packages exceeds [*twice-omitted]the maximum permissible error, and

* vide GSR NO dated 13.2.04

*(7) The requirement of mandatory declarations on the packages shall be ensured either at the factory level or at the depot of the factory.

(8) For non-compliance of the provisions of this rule, action may be taken after seizing five representative samples of the packages as evidence and the rest of the packages may be released once compliance is ensured by the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be.’.

* [ added GSR 425 (e) dt 17.7.2006 ]

(d) each such package bears thereon or on a label affixed thereto- the declarations required to be made under these rules.

25. Action to taken on completion of examination of packages at the premises of the manufacturer or the packer

*(1) If it appears from the report referred to in sub-rule (3) of rule 24 that,-

the statistical average of the net quantity contained in the packages drawn as samples under that rule is lesser than the quantity declared on the packages or on the labels affixed thereto, or

any such package shows an error in deficiency greater than the maximum permissible error, or

(c) any such package does not bear thereon or on label affixed thereto the declarations to be made under these rules, the Director or the authorized person shall take action as given below:-

seize the packages drawn by him as samples and shall take adequate steps for the safe custody of the seized packages until they are produced in the appropriate court as evidence;

(ii) based on the evidence initiate action for violations of the provisions of the Act and these rules:

Provided that no such action shall be taken if fresh tests are carried out under sub-rule (4) of rule 24, but if after such fresh tests any such error or omission as is referred to in this sub-rule is detected, the Director or the authorized person shall take appropriate action as specified in this sub-rule in accordance with the provisions of the Act against the manufacturer or, as the case may be, the packer.

* [amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

(2) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

(3) The disposal of the seized packages shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

26. Action to be taken with regard to packages examined at the premises of the wholesale dealer or retail dealer (1) ordinarily, any test in relation to the net quantity contained in a package shall not be carried out at the premised of the retail dealer or the wholesale dealer, unless-

a complaint is received by the Director or the

(ii) the Director or the authorized person has reason to suspect that any package has been tampered with or that there has been any pilferage or leakage of the commodity contained in the package;

(iii) the Director or the aurhorised person has reason to suspect that any package, or any label affixed thereto, does not bear thereon all or any of the declarations which are required to be made under these rules.

(2) Where any test is carried out in pursuance of the provisions of sub-rule (1), the Director or the the deficiency is more than [*twice- omitted] the maximum permissible error in relation to that commodity.

vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

(3) Where the Director or the – Omitted] the maximum permissible error in relation to that commodity, he shall seize such package and take appropriate action against the retail dealer or the wholesale dealer, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Act:

vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

Provided that where the package bears the legend ‘when packed’, no punitive action shall be taken against the retail dealer or wholesale dealer if the Director or the

(4) Where as a result of any test made under this rule, it is found that the net quantity contained in the package conforms to the declared quantity or where there is a deficiency, such deficiency is not more than [*twice –omitted] the maximum permissible error, the retail dealer shall be at liberty to sell or deliver or distribute such commodity at the price determined on the basis of the quantity found on such tests.

vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

(5)Where, as a result of any test made under this rule, it is found that any package, or any label affixed thereto, does not bear thereon all or any of the declarations required to be made under these rules, it shall be lawful for the Director or the y think fit.

27. Establishment of maximum permissible error on package

(1) The maximum permissible error in relation to the commodities specified in the First Schedule shall be such as is indicated in the corresponding entries in that Schedule against the concerned commodity and the maximum permissible error in relation to any commodity not specified in the First Schedule, shall be such as is specified in the Second Schedule:

Provided that the Director may establish the maximum permissible error in relation to any commodity not specified in the First Schedule, and on such establishment, the concerned commodity and the maximum permissible error in relation thereto shall be deemed to have been included in the First Schedule.

(2) The Director shall cause a coordinated programmer to be under taken at such places and in such manner as he may think fit for the establishment of the maximum permissible error in relation to commodities referred to in sub-rule (1) or the proviso thereto.

(3) While establishing the maximum permissible error in relation to the net quantity of commodities contained in packages, due account shall be taken of the following causes which may lead to variation in quantity, namely:-

(a) variations caused by unavoidable deviation in weighing, measuring or counting the contents of individual packages that may occur in good packaging practice;

(b) variations caused by the ordinary and customary exposure to conditions, such as, climate, transport, storage or the like that normally occur in good distribution practice after the commodity is introduced in trade or commerce; and

( c )variations due to the nature of packaging material or container.

(4) The Director shall determine, or cause to be determined, in relation to any commodity, the declaration in respect of the net quantity of which is permitted to be qualified by the words ‘when packed’; the reasonable variations which may take place by reason of the environmental conditions.

Extract of the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 relating to Deceptive packages;

28. Deceptive packages to be repacked or in default to be seized

If, on the determination of the quantity contained in the sample packages, the Director or the authorized person finds that the quantity contained in the package agrees with the declaration of the quantity made on the package or label thereon but the package is a deceptive package, he shall require the manufacturer or the packer as the case may be, to repack and re-label such package and in the event of the omission or failure on the part of the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be, to repack or re-label such deceptive package, in accordance with the standards established by or under these rules, seize them, take appropriate punitive action in accordance with the Act and take adequate steps for the safe custody of such packages until they are produced in a court as evidence.

Explanation:

For the purpose of this rule, ‘deceptive package’ means a package which is so designed as to deliberately given to the consumer an exaggerated or misleading impression as to the quantity of the commodity contained therein, except where bigger dimensions of the package can be justified by the manufacturer or the packer, as the case may be, on the ground that such dimensions are necessary for giving protection to the commodity contained in such package or for meeting the requirements of the machine used for filling such package.

(2) If the seized packages contain any commodity which is subject to speedy or natural decay, the Director or the authorized person shall dispose of the commodity in accordance with the rules made under the Act.

CHAPTER III

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO WHOLESALE PACKAGES

29. Declarations applicable to be made on every wholesale package

Every wholesale package shall bear thereon a legible, definite, plain and conspicuous declaration as to –

The name and address of the manufacturer or where the manufacturer is not the packer, of the packer;

the identity of the commodity contained in the package; and

©the total number of retail package contained in such wholesale package or the net quantity in terms of standard units of weights, measures or number of the commodity contained in wholesale package;

Provided that nothing in this rule shall apply in relation to a wholesale package if a declaration similar to the declarations specified in this rule, is required to be made on such wholesale packages by or under any other law for the time being in force.

CHAPTER IV

EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PACKAGED COMMODITIES

30. Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

Restrictions on sale of export packages in India

An export package shall not be sold in India unless the manufacturer or packer has re-packed or relabeled the commodity in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter II, and where any export package is sold in India without such re-packing or re-labeling, such package shall be liable to be seized in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

33. Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

CHAPTER V

EXEMPTIONS

34. Exemption in respect of certain packages

Nothing contained in these rules shall apply to any package containing a commodity if—

*( a ) Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

*( b ) the net weight or measure of the commodity is ten grams or ten millitres or less, if sold by weight or measure.

* [amended vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

@(d) any package containing fast food items packed by restaurant/hotel and the like

@ vide amendment No GSR 105E dated 2nd March, 1995.

*(e) it contains scheduled formulations and non-scheduled formulations covered under the Drugs (Price Control) Order,1995 made under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955)’.

* Substituted vide GSR No 760 E dated 24.9.03

*(f) agricultural form produces in packages of above 50 kg’

* Introduced vide amendment No GSR NO 246(E) dated 5.4.1999.

CHAPTER VI

REGISTRATION OF MANUFACTURERS AND PACKERS

**’35. Registration of manufacturers, packers and importers.

(1) Every individual, firm, Hindu undivided family, society, company or corporation who or which pre-packs or imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery shall make an application, accompanied by a fee of rupees *five hundred, [* substituted vide GSR No 16(E) Dated 12.1.05] to the Director for the registration of his or its name and complete address; and every such application shall be made

(i) in the case of an applicant pre-packing or importing any commodity at the commencement of these rules, within ninety days from such commencement; or

(ii) in the case of any applicant who or which commence pre-packing or importing of any commodity after the commencement of these rules, within ninety days from the date on which he or it commences such pre-packing.

(2) Every application referred in sub-rule (1) shall contain the following particulars, namely:-

(a) the name of the applicant;

(b) the complete address of the premises at which the pre-packing or import of one or more commodities is made by the applicant; and

Explanation: In this sub-rule, ‘complete address’ has the meaning assigned to it in the explanation to sub-rule (1) of rule 10.’

** Substituted vide GSR 631 dated 21.7.2000.

* ‘(3) For making any alteration in the registration certificate issued under sub rule (1), a fee of rupees one hundred shall be paid by the concerned manufacturer or packer or importer to the Director.

(3A) On receipt of the application made under sub-rule (1), the Director, who shall be the Registering Authority, shall-

$(a) if the application is not complete in all respects, return the same to the applicant within a period of seven working days from the date of receipt of the application.;

$ amended vide GSR 572 (E) dt 8.9.2005

(b) if the application is complete in all respects, register the applicant and

grant a registration certificate to the applicant to that effect.’.

* Introduced vide GSR No 16(E) Dated 12.1.05

36. Registration of shorter address permissible

(1) It shall be lawful for any a manufacturer or packer to make an application to the Director for the registration of a shorter address, in addition to the complete address referred to in sub-rule (2) of rule 35.

(2) The Director may, if he is satisfied after inquiry that the shorter address is sufficient to enable the consumer or any other person to identify the manufacturer or the packer, register such shorter address.

(3) Where a shorter address is registered by the Director, it shall be lawful for the manufacturer or packer to state such shorter address on the label of each commodity pre-packed by him or it.

37. Register of manufacturers and packers, etc.

(1) The Director shall enter in a register, to be maintained by him for the purpose, the name and complete address of each manufacturer or packer by whom application for such registration has been made to him under rule 35.

(2)The register referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be open to the inspection of the public without payment of nay fee.

CHAPTER VII-GENERAL

38. Compilation of lists of manufacturers or packers and their circulation. The Director shall compile a State-wise list of the manufacturers and packers registered by him under rule 37 and shall circulate such list to the Controller of the concerned State to enable the Controller to take, or cause to be taken, samples at the premises of the manufacturer or, where the manufacturer is not the packer, of the packer.

39. Penalty for contravention of Rules

(1) If any person contravenes the provisions of rule 6, or tempers with, obliterates or alters any declaration made on any package in accordance with these rules, he shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to two thousand rupees.

(2) Whoever contravenes any provision of these rules, for the contravention of which no punishment has been provided either in the Act or in the rules he shall be punished with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

** $$40. Power to relax: The Central Government may if it is satisfied, on the genuineness of the reasons stated in the application, may permit a manufacturer/packer to pack for sale the packages on which corrective actions are to be taken after a compounding or a court decision for a reasonable period, relaxing any or all the provisions of these rules.

** GSR 105 (E) dt 2.3.95′.

$$ Substituted vide GSR No 594 E dated 17.8.99

** First Schedule stands deleted from 1.5.2008

FIRST SCHEDULE **

[See Rule 2(i)(i) ]

Maximum permissible error in relation to the quantity contained in the individual Package

———————————————————————————————

Sl No. Description of Quantity declared Maximum Permissible error

commodity

————————————————————————————————

1 2 3 4

————————————————————————————————–1. Biscuit (i) Upto and equal to 500 g 7.0 %

(ii) Above 500 g 6.0 %

2. Bread (i) Up to and equal to 400g 8.0 %

(ii) Above 400g and equal to 800 g 6.0 %

(iii) Above 800g and equal to 1200g 4.0 %

4. * Omitted vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

5. Face cream (i) Up to and equal to 25g 4.0 %

(ii) Above 25g up to and equal to 100g 4.0%

or 2.5 g whichever is less

(iii) Above 100 g 3.0 %

6. Ghee, vanaspati (i) Up to and equal to 1 kg/litre * 1.0 %

and edible oils (ii) Above 1 kg/ liter up to and equal to * 0.75 %

2kg/litre

(iii) Above 2 kg/liter and equal to 4 kg/litre * 0.6%

(iv) Above 4 kg/litre * 0.3%

* amended vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04

7. Hair cream (i) Upto and equal to 100g 5g

(ii) Above 100g up to and 5.0 % or

equal to 200 7g whichever is less

(iii) Above 200 g 5.0% or

10 g whichever is less

8. Infant Foods (i) Up to and equal to 100g 5.0%

(ii) Above 100g and equal to 1kg 4.0%

(iii) Above 1kg 3.0%

9. Liquid Milk (i) Up to and equal to 100 ml 5 ml

(ii) Above 100ml up to and equal to 250ml 8 ml

(iii) Above 250 ml 10 ml

10. Provisions sold in polythene (i) Up to and equal to 100g 3.0%

bags or plastic bags or plastic, (ii) Above 100g up to and

Food grains, pulses, edible seeds equal to 500g 2.0 %

spices (whole or broken but (iii) Above 500 up to and equal to 1 kg 1.5 %

not powdered), powdered

commodities),(such as, chilli

powder, pepper powder, coffee

powder, washing soda, atta, table

salt and the like), dry fruits,

seeds and other commodities)

such as, sugar, gur, khandsari

and the like)

11. Safety Match boxes (i) Containing up to 50 ** 8.0%

(ii) Containing more than 50 sticks ** 6.00%

** amendment vide GSR 143(E) dated 1.3.05.

* amended vide GSR No 113 dt 13.2.04

* to come into force from 1st March 2005 GSR 550 E dated 30.8.04

12. Shaving cakes/sticks For all quantities 3.00%

13. Shaving cream (i) Up to and equal to 50g 1 g

(ii) Above 50g up to and equal to 100 g 2 g

14. Soap chips (i) Up to and equal to 1 kg 1.0%

(ii) Above 1 kg up to and equal to 3 kg 0.3%

(iii) Above 3 kg 0.2%

15. Talcum & face powder (i) Up to and equal to 50g 1.0%

(ii) Above 50g up to and equal to 100g 0.3%

(iii) Above 100g up to and equal to 300g 3.0%

(iv) Above 300g 2.5%

16. Tea For all quantities 2.0%

17. Toilet soaps For all quantities 3.0%

18. Tooth Paste (i) Up to and equal to 50g * 3.0%

(ii) For all other sizes * 1.0%

* amended vide GSR 113 No 12.2.04

* to come into force on 1.3.05 vide GSR No 550 E dt 30.8.04

19. Tooth powder (i) Up to and equal to 100g 8.0%

(ii) Above 100g 8.0% or

15g whichever is less

20. Washing Soap (i) Up to and equal to 150g 4.5%

(ii) Above 150g up to and equal to 300g 4.0%

(iii) Above 300g 3.0%

21. Writing and printing paper For any quantity 2.5%

22. Wrapping paper (including packing paper)For any quantity 5.0%

THE SECOND SCHEDULE

[See Rule 2(i)(ii)]

Maximum permissible errors in relation to packaged commodities not specified in the First Schedule

1. Maximum permissible errors on net quantity declared by weight or volume.-(1) The maximum permissible error, in excess or in deficiency, in the net quantity by weight or volume of any commodity not specified in the First Schedule, shall be as specified in Table I below:-

TABLE 1

Maximum permissible errors on net quantities declared by weight or by volume

—————————————————————-

Sl. Declared quantity Maximum permissible error in excess or in deficiency

As percentage of

declared quantity g or ml

——————————————————————————-

(i) upto 50 9

ii) 50 to 100 4.5

(iii) 100 to 200 4.5

(iv) 200 to 300 9

(v) 300 to 500 3

(vi) 500 to 1000 15

(vii)1000 to 10000 1.5

(viii) 10000 to 15000 150

(ix) more than 15000 1.0

(2) The maximum permissible error specified as percentage shall be rounded off to the nearest one-tenth of a g or ml, for a declared quantities less than or equal to 1000 g or ml and to the next whole g or ml for declared quantities above 1000 g or ml.

2. The maximum permissible errors on net quantity declared by length, area or number. – (1) The maximum permissible error, in excess or in deficiency, in the net quantity declared in terms of length, area or number of any commodity not specified in the First Schedule shall be as specified in Table II below:-

The maximum permissible errors on net quantities declared by length, area or number

———————————————————–

Sl.No. Quantity Declared The maximum permissible error in excess or in deficiency

—————————————————————-
(I) in units of length 2% of declared quantity up to 10 metre and thereafter 1% of

declared quantity.

(ii) in units of area 4% of declared quantity up to 10 sq. metre and thereafter 1% of

declared quantity.

(iii) by number 2% of declared

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THE THIRD SCHEDULE

(See rule 5)

Commodities to be packed in specified quantities

The following commodities shall be packed in such quantities by weight, measure or number as are specified in the corresponding entries against them.

Sl. No.	Commodities	Quantities in which to be packed
1.	2.	3.
1.	Baby food	100g,200g,300g,400g,500g,600,g 700 g,800 g, 900g,1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg.
2.	Weaning food.	100g,200g,300g, 400g, 500g, 600g,700g,800g,900g,1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg.
3.	Biscuits	25g, 50g, 75g, 100g, 150g, 200g, 250g, 300g and thereafter in multiples of 100g up to 1 kg.
4.	Bread including brown bread but excluding bun.	100g and there after in of multiples 100g.
5.	Un-canned packages of butter and margarine	25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
6.	Cereals and Pulses	100g, 200g, 500g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and thereafter multiples of 5 kg
7.	*Coffee	25g, 50g, 100g, 200g, 250g, 500g, 1kg and thereafter in multiples of 1kg.’. Substituted vide GSR No 16(E) Dated 12.1.05
8.	*Tea	* 25g, 50g, 100g, 125g 250g, 500g, 1kg and thereafter in multiples of 1kg. * Substituted vide GSR No 16(E) Dated 12.1.05
9.	Materials which may be constituted or reconstituted as beverages. Introduced vide GSR 760E dated 24.904	25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 1 kg.
10	Edible Oils Vanaspati, ghee, butter oil	50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg If net quantity is declared by volume the same number in milliliters or liters, as the case may be. If the net quantity is declared by volume, then the equivalent quantity in terms of mass to be declared in brackets in same size of letters/numerals
11.	Deleted.
12.	Milk Powder.	Below 50g no restriction, 50 g, 100g, 200g, 500 g, 1 kg and thereafter in multiples of 500 g.
13.	Omitted.
14.	Non-soapy detergents (powder)	Below 50 g no restriction, 50g, 100g, 200g, 500g, 700g, 1kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg and thereafter, in multiples of 1 kg.
15.	Rice(powdered), flour, atta, rawa and suji.	100g, 200g, 500g, 1kg, 2kg, 5 kg and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
16.	Salt	Below 50g in multiples of 10g, 50g, 100g, 200g, 500g, 750g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and thereafter in multiples of 5 kg.
17.	Soaps
	(a) Laundry Soap	50g, 75g, 100g, and thereafter in multiples of 50g.
	(b) Non-soapy detergent cakes/bars.	50g, 75g, 100g, 125g, 150g, 200g, 250g, 300g and thereafter in multiples of 100g
	(c) Toilet Soap including all kinds of bath soap (cakes).	25g, 50g, 75g, 100g, 125g, 150g and thereafter in multiples of 50g.
18.	Aerated soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages. *introduced vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04. Later amended vide GSR 169 E dt 1.3.04	65 ml (fruit based drinks only), 100 ml, 125ml(fruit based drinks only), 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 330ml(in cans only), 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre, 1.5 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre and 5 litre.
18 (A)	Mineral water and drinking water	100 ml, 130 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 330 ml, 500 ml, 600 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre, 1.2 litre, 1.5 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre and 5 litre.
	[* The sizes 130 ml, 330 ml, 600 ml and 1.2 litre shall be allowed only for a period of 3 years from the date of notification].’
19.	Cement in bags.	1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 40 kg (for White cement only) and 50 kg. Introduced vide GSR 760 E dated 24.9.03
20.	Paint varnish etc.
	(a) Paint (other than paste paint or solid paint)varnish, varnish stains, enamels.	50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre, 5 litre and thereafter in multiples of 5 litre.
	(b) Paste paint and solid paint	500g, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, 7kg and thereafter multiple of 5 kg.
	(c) Base paint: Introduced vide GSR 613 E dated 15.9.04	450 ml, 500 ml, 900 ml, 925 ml, 950 ml, 975 ml, 1 litre, 3.6 litre, 3.7 litre, 3.8 litre, 3.9 litre and 4 litre and no restriction above 4 litre.’

** Fourth Schedule stands deleted from 1.5.2008

THE FOURTH SCHEDULE **

(See Rule 11(4))

Declaration of quantity in relation to commodities (sold by weight or volume) which may be qualified by the words ‘When packed’ and the additional information which the package or the label affixed thereto shall bear on it.

Sl. Name of commodity Additional information to be

No. stated on the package **

1. 2. 3.

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1. Alcoholic-liquors

2. Animal feed

2(A) Asafoetida

3. Bread, bun and the like

4. Butter and cheese including peanut butter (un-canned)

5. Cake

5(A) Camphor

6. Cream (other than cream of milk)

7 Fertilizers

8. Fruits

8(A) Ice Cream

8(B). Knitting yarn

9. Lotions

10. Margarine

11. Detergent**(amended vide GSR 613 dated 21.7.2000)

11(A). Papad

12. Soap of all kinds other than toilet soap

12(A). Snuff

13. Spirituous Products

14. Toilet soap

14 A* All kinds of bath soap

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* GSR 591 dt 94

** Deleted vide GSR No 246 E dated 5.4.99.

THE FIFTH SCHEDULE

(See Rule 12(2))

Exceptions referred to in Rule 12(2)

1. The following commodities in packaged form may be sold by weight, measure or number as shown against the commodity:-

TABLE

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Sl. Commodity Whether declaration to be expressed in terms

No. of weight, measures or number or two or

more of them

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1. 2. 3.

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1. Aerosol Products Weight

2. Acids in liquid form Weight or volume

3. Compressed or liquefied Weight and equivalent volume

gas(but not liquefied at stated temperature and pressure .

petroleum gas)

4. Curd Weight

5. Electric Cables Length or weight

6. Electric wire Length or weight

7. Fencing wire Number or weight

8. Fruits, all kinds Number or weight

9. Furnace oil Weight or volume

10. *Non edible vegetable Weight or volume

oil

* GSR 105 dt 2.3.95

10(A). **Edible oil, Vanaspati Weight or volume

ghee and butter oil

** GSR 863 (E) dt 14.12.94

11. Heavy residual fuel oil Weight

12. Industrial diesel fuel Volume

13. Honey, malt-extract,

golden syrup treacle Weight

14. Ice cream and other

similar frozen products *Volume[vide GSR 425 (E)]

15. Liquid chemicals Weight or volume

16. Liquefied petroleum gas Weight

17. Nails, wood screws Number or weight
18. Paints other than paste Volume

paint or solid paint) Varnish

varnish stains, enamels

19. Paste paint, solid paint Weight

20. Rasgulla, Gulabjamun

and other sweet

preparations weight

21. Ready-made garments Number

22. Sauces, all kinds Weight

23. Tyres and tubes Number

24. Yarn Weight or length of yarn.

25. *Cosmetics including

creams, shampoo,

lotions and perfumes Weight or measure

* GSR No 393 (E) dated 17th May, 1995.

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** Sixth Schedule stands deleted from 1.5.2008

THE SIXTH SCHEDULE **

(See Rule 13(5))

The manner in which commodities intended to be sold by number shall be packed-

** stands deleted from 1.5.2008

Where any commodity is packed by number, such packing shall be made unless otherwise provided in these rules in the following manner, namely-

(a)Where the number is less then ten, by the integral number;

(b)Where the number exceeds ten but does not exceed one hundred in multiples of five;

(c)Where the number exceeds one hundred but does not exceed five hundred, in multiples of ten;

(d)Where the number exceeds five hundred but does not exceed one thousand, in multiples of fifty;

(e)Where the number exceeds one thousand but does not exceed one hundred

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The Seventh schedule

Omitted vide GSR No 521 dated 27.6.95

THE EIGHT SCHEDULE

(See Proviso to Rule 23(3))

OMITTED vide GSR NO 105 (E) dt 2.3.95

The Ninth Schedule

(See Rule 24)

Manner of Selection of Sample Packages

For determination of the net quantity for any commodity contained in a package, the sample size shall be such as is specified in the corresponding entry column 2 of the Table below against the *lot size specified in Column 1 of the said Table.

*Lot Size	Sample Size	*Deleted vide GSR No 113 dated 12.2.04
(1)	(2)
Less than 4000	32
More than 4000	80

The sample shall be selected at random in accordance with the manner specified in paragraphs 3 and 4.

Where, for the determination of the net quantity of any commodity contained in a package it is necessary to take samples of packages stored by the manufacture or packer in a ware house, go-down or at any other place, the sample shall be selected at random, from ever *lot of packages and shall be picked out from the top, bottom, center, right, left, front and rear of the stocks so that the samples may adequately represent the packages in the *lot.

Where, for the determination of the net quantity of any commodity contained in a package it is necessary to take samples form the place where the package is being filled such samples shall be selected from among the package which have already been filled, or in the alternatively, the requisite number of empty containers may be taken over and each of them shall be adequately marked for proper identification and the tare weight of each container shall be accurately noted and thereafter the marked containers shall be introduced at random in the packing process so that, after the packages are filled in may be possible to determine the net quantity

Explanation: In this schedule ‘Sample size’ means the umber o packages to be selected as sample.

THE TENTH SCHEDULE

(See Rule 24)

Determination of the Net Quantity of Commodities in Packages

Part-I – Equipment

1. Equipments required- (1) The Director, or other person authorised by or under the Act, to determine the net quantity ;of commodity contained in any package, shall be provided by the concerned Government with adequate equipments and facilities to carry out his work to the required degree of accuracy in an

expedient and efficient manner.

(2) The equipments, referred to in sub-paragraph (1), shall ordinarily consist of working standard weights and balances, or any other weight or measure declared by the Director to be suitable for determining the net quantity contained in the concerned package.

(3) The Director or authorised persons shall, before determining the net quantity contained in any package, ensure that the working standards and other equipments are functioning properly.

2. Working standards to be ordinarily used.-(1) Ordinarily, working standards and other weights and measures, duly verified shall be used for determining the net quantities contained in packages and the errors, if any, in relation to the net quantity declared on the package.

Provided that, where it is necessary to use the weights and measures, owned or controlled by the manufacturer, packer or wholesale dealer as the case may be such weights and measures, shall be used unless the maximum permissible error of such weights and measures is twenty per cent or less of the maximum error permitted n relation to the net quantity of the commodity contained in the packages.

(2)It shall be the duty of every manufacturer, packer or wholesale dealer to render such assistance the Director or other authorised person as the Director or other authorised person may require in order to carry out his duties expeditiously and efficiently.

(3)Where any weight, measure or other equipment, owned or controlled by the manufacturer, packer or wholesale dealer is used by the Director or other authorized person for the determination or the net quantity contained in any package, such weight, measure or other equipment shall not be released by the Director or other authorized person until his work is completed.

Part-II – Instructions with regard to the determination of quantity and error at manufacturer’s or packer’s premises.

**3. (1) If empty tare packages are available, one such package shall be taken and tare package weight determined. If the tare package weight is equal to or less than three-tenths of the maximum permissible error for the concerned commodity of that quantity, it shall be assumed that the tare package weight so determined is valid for all the other packages in the sample, and the sample packages shall then be weighed for gross weight, and thereafter the net weight of commodity contained in each package shall be obtained by subtracting the tare package weight from the gross package weight. If the tare package weight so determined is more than three tenths of the maximum permissible error in relation to the commodity for that quantity, weight of four more empty tare packages shall be determined. If the difference between the maximum tare package weight and the minimum tare package weight of the five samples is equal to or less than four tenths of the maximum permissible error allowed for that commodity for that quantity, the tare weight of the package shall be taken as equal to the average of the five tare package weights. The gross weight of the package in the sample shall then be determined and the average tare package weight shall be subtracted from the gross package weight to obtain the net contents of the commodity in each package, in the sample. However, when the difference in the five individual tare weights of the packages exceeds the limit of four tenths of the maximum permissible error specified above, the procedure specified in sub-paragraph (4) or sub-paragraph (5), as the case may be, shall be adopted for determining the net quantity of individual packages.

** Substituted vide GSR 594E Dated 17.8.99.

(2) In the absence of empty tare packages, one package from the sample shall be opened and the net weight of the commodity and the tare weight of the package determined. If the tare weight of the package is equal to or less than three-tenth of the maximum permissible error for that concerned commodity of that quantity, it shall be assumed that the tare weight of one package so determined is valid for all the other packages in the sample, and the remaining packages shall then be weighed for gross weight, and thereafter the net weight of commodity contained in each package shall be obtained by subtracting the tare weight from the gross weight.

(3)If the tare weight of the package specified in *sub-paragraph (2) is more than three-tenths of the maximum permissible error in relation to that commodity, four more packages in the samples shall be opened and the net weight of the commodity in each package as well as the tare weight of each package shall be determined. If the difference between the maximum tare weight and the minimum tare weight of five samples is equal to or less than four-tenths of the maximum permissible error for that commodity of that quantity, the tare weight of the package shall be taken as equal to the arithmetic mean of the five tare weights. The gross weight of the packages in the sample shall then be determined to the requisite accuracy and the average tare weight of the contained shall be subtracted from the gross weight to obtain the net contents of the commodity in each package in the sample.

* introduced vide GSR No 594E dated 17.8.99.

(4) Where it is found on examining the first package, as described in sub-paragraph (2) that the tare weight of the container exceeds the limits specified in sub-paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (3) and the determination of net contents, cannot be carried out without opening the remaining packages, or it is not, possible to use the procedure to use the procedure described in

sub-paragraph (5) the size of the sample to be examined shall be restricted to that indicated in column (2) , in accordance with the batch indicated in column(1) of *Table of the Ninth Schedule and the determination of net quantity shall be carried out by opening all the packages in the sample.

* amended vide GSR No 594 E Dated 17.8.99.

5) Where it is likely that the process of determination of the actual net quantity may be destructive and it is possible to feed empty package into the packing process without affecting the results, the following procedure shall be used:

(a) the number of empty packages, depending upon the size of the batch, in accordance with columns (1) and (2) of *Table of the Ninth Schedule shall be selected;

* amended vide GSR No 594 E dated 17.8.99.

(b) the empty package shall be marked suitably to identify them from the other packages;

(c)the weight of each empty package, with its other parts which are to be fitted on it after it is filled shall be determined and the weight suitably recorded on the empty package and also on the Form specified in the Eleventh Schedule;

(d)the empty package shall then be filled by introducing them in a random manner in the packing process, and such introduction shall be adequately spread over the duration in accordance with which ;the size of the batch is determined;

(e)the marked packages shall be taken out after completion of the filling and sealing operations and each such filled package shall be weighed again to the requisite accuracy;

(f) the net quantity shall be obtained by deducting the tare weight determined in accordance with clause (c) from the gross weight.

(6) The Director or other authorized person shall enter results of this examination of gross weight, net weight and tare weight in the Form specified in the Eleventh Schedule along with such other observation as he may wish to make on the basis of his examination.

4. Determination of liquid contents by volume.-(1) If the specific gravity of the liquid commodity filled in packages remains sufficiently constant for a batch and it is possible to determine accurately its specific gravity the method of determination of net contents by weight, described in paragraph 3 may be used.

(2) If the method described in sub-paragraph (1) is not feasible the containers shall be opened and the contents of each package poured out carefully into the appropriate volume measure.

(3) The reading of the actual net volume of the commodity in every package shall be noted carefully and recorded in the Form specified in the Eleventh Schedule.

5. Verification of length of commodities.-(1) The sample shall be selected in the manner specified in the Ninth Schedule.

(2) If it is not possible to measure the dimensions with out opening the package, the package shall be opened.

(3) The length of the commodity shall be measured by means of a calibrated steel tape of suitable length.

(4) If the actual length of the commodity is so great that it is not possible to measure it with the tape measure and a suitable length measuring instrument is available on the premises, that instrument shall be use, after duly calibrating it by suitable means, with the steel tape serving ala working standard of length.

(5) The reading of the actual length of the commodity in every package shall be noted carefully and recorded in the Form specified in the Eleventh Schedule.

(6) Verification of commodities packed by number. The Director or authorised person shall take packages from the sample drawn by him in the manner specified in the Ninth Schedule and determine the extent of error, by actual counting in each such package and may, for that purpose open all packages.

7. *Checking of unit price.- Deleted vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006

8. Checking of other declarations.-(1) The declarations made on the package or on the label affixed thereto, shall be examined with a view to ascertaining whether such declarations conform to these rules *and may be ensured either at the factory level or at the depot of the factory .

* [Added vide GSR 425 (E) dt 17.7.2006]

(2)The additional declarations made on the package or on the label affixed thereto in respect of item (g) and (h) of sub-rule (1) of rule 6 shall also be examined to ascertain whether they are adequate.

THE ELEVENTH SCHEDULE

(Form A)

Weight Checking – Data Sheet ____________

____________

__________